Costanzo 2.0? Skuta differs from former special-teams star

Dan Skuta forced a fumble by Vernon Davis in the 49ers' 13-8 win over the Bengals in 2011. (AP)

The 49ers hope special-teams whiz Dan Skuta covers kicks faster than he answers questions about his other potential roles with the team.

Asked Friday on a conference call about the possibility of moonlighting at fullback, the newly signed former Bengals inside linebacker paused.

And paused.

Hello, Skuta, ya’ still there, big guy?

Finally, he responded.

“Um, that’s a conversation that they’ve had,” Skuta said. “I’m not really sure. I’m just … if that’s something that they have me do, I’ll be excited to do it.”

Given their similar pedigree (small college, undrafted, resembles The Blue Collar Guy from central casting), Skuta has been compared to Bears special-teams dynamo Blake Costanzo, who starred with the 49ers in 2011.

A key difference: Skuta offers more versatility than Costanzo, who left the 49ers without receiving a contract offer last year.

Skuta, 26, has made four fill-in starts during his four-year career and played 319 snaps at inside linebacker. In 2010, he also moonlighted for 14 snaps as a blocking fullback for the Bengals, a role he occasionally assumed at Grand Valley State.

Costanzo, in contrast, only played special teams with the 49ers in 2011. In six seasons, he’s played 50 defensive snaps.

The Niners prize jack-of-all-trades types (Jim Harbaugh: “The more things you can do …”), which helps explain their strong interest in Skuta. In the team’s press release announcing the signing, general manager Trent Baalke dropped in “versatile” in describing the newest member of the 49ers.

“These guys were there from day one,” Skuta said. “They let me know right away that they wanted me and they came after me, which was important to me. I’m excited to be somewhere like that.”

** Skuta could become the next defensive player to appear on offense for the 49ers. The most prominent two-way players since Jim Harbaugh arrived have been nose guard Isaac Sopoaga and defensive tackle Will Tukuafu. Both served as blocking fullbacks.